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Tuesday November 5, 2013 4:53 AM

The Cleveland Indians made a pitch to Ubaldo Jimenez and protected themselves in case the
right-hander leaves town.

The club gave Jimenez a $14.1 million qualifying offer yesterday, which he can consider as he
starts to talk with other teams.

Jimenez, who bounced back from a 9-17 record in 2012 to win 13 games this season, has until Nov.
11 at 5 p.m. to accept Cleveland’s offer. If he signs elsewhere, the Indians would receive an extra
pick at the end of the first round in June’s amateur draft.

The Indians would love to have the 31-year-old back after he finally emerged as the
front-of-the-rotation starter Cleveland thought it was getting when Jimenez was acquired before the
trading deadline in 2011. After a slow start this season, Jimenez fine-tuned his delivery, cut down
on his walks and went 6-5 with a 1.82 ERA after the All-Star break.

The Indians did not extend qualifying offers to any of their other free agents: pitchers Scott
Kazmir, Joe Smith, Matt Albers, Rich Hill, outfielder Jason Kubel and catcher Kelly Shoppach.

Reds make offer to Choo, but not to Arroyo

The Cincinnati Reds made a $14.1 million qualifying offer to leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo, but
decided against the same approach for right-hander Bronson Arroyo and four others.

They chose not to make qualifying offers to infielder Cesar Izturis, right-handed reliever Nick
Masset and left-handed relievers Manny Parra and Zach Duke. All could re-sign with the Reds as free
agents.

Choo is expected to seek a multiyear deal.

Arroyo went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA last season, the final year on his two-year, $23.5 million
extension.

Report says Rodriguez tested positive in 2006

Alex Rodriguez tested positive for a banned stimulant in 2006,
The New York Times reported, an accusation a spokesman for the New York Yankees’ third
baseman denied.

The newspaper cited two unidentified people involved with baseball’s drug-testing program.

“Alex Rodriguez was never suspended for use of stimulants or any violation of the MLB drug
program,” James McCarroll, a lawyer for the three-time American League MVP, said in a statement. “
The fact that MLB has resorted to leaking federally protected medical information about a player
speaks volumes of the weakness of their case against Alex — and their desperation to secure a win
in the arbitration, at all costs.”

MLB chief operating officer Rob Manfred declined comment.

Decision time

The following $14.1 million qualifying offers were made:

• The Texas Rangers, to Nelson Cruz, the All-Star slugger who served a 50-game drug suspension
this season.